Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2023

The Veteran's left hip DJD status-post total hip replacement is granted a 50% disability rating, effective from November 1, 2012. Other claims are denied or remanded.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the entire period under review, both on a schedular and extraschedular basis due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to October 6, 2020. Beginning October 6, 2020, the disability is now rated at 40 percent.,Radiculopathy in both lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent each since October 6, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA examinations are also needed to assess the current severity of his knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining a new VA examination and requesting additional evidence related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various orthopedic conditions due to new and updated VA treatment records being added to the file.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve was granted a 20% disability rating effective June 20, 2022. The Veteran's anterior crural (femoral) nerve paralysis and right lower ilio-inguinal nerve paralysis were denied increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, including as secondary to PTSD, a back disability, and/or right lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the combined effects of all service-connected disabilities in determining whether the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on several issues, including service connection claims and a rating for left foot conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TDIU due to insufficient consideration of evidence and potential changes in disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection related to stressor-related disorder, low back pain with sciatica, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of a separate left hip disability other than the already service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and the Board finds entitlement to a TDIU is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spondylosis, left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, and right leg lumbar radiculopathy have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher disability ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted, and the claims for sinusitis, cervical spine radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle arthritis are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for tinnitus and the reduction of his rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective July 11, 2018. The Board has dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding her low back disability, chronic sinusitis, left hip disability, right elbow disability, right arm injury with neuropathy, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to unresolved service connection claims for low back disability, neck disability, and radiculopathy. The TDIU claim will not be processed until these intertwined issues are resolved.